Instant Pot Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta
Introducing our Instant Pot Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta recipe – a zesty fusion of Tex-Mex and Italian flavors! With tender chicken, smoky chipotle peppers, and creamy pasta, this dish is a quick and delicious option for any night of the week. Say goodbye to bland dinners and hello to a flavorful culinary adventure!
Contents
Make the Best Chipotle Flavored Pasta
- Spicy Delight: The spicy chipotle pasta adds a smoky kick, perfect for spice lovers.
- One-Pot Meal: This recipe combines protein, carbs, and veggies all in one pot.
- Fast and Flavorful: The Instant Pot ensures quick cooking of spicy chicken chipotle pasta without sacrificing taste or texture.
Recipe Ingredients
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Cut into 1″ Chunks: This lean protein cooks quickly and absorbs the spicy chipotle sauce and adobo flavors beautifully, providing a hearty, savory component to the pasta.
- Penne Pasta: Its hollow center and ridges are perfect for catching and holding onto the spicy, creamy sauce.
- Adobo Sauce: Lends a deep smoky flavor and heat that forms the backbone of the chipotle pasta’s unique taste profile.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a touch of acidity to balance the heat and enhance the overall flavors of the dish.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Enhance the natural flavors of the other ingredients and bring balance to the dish.
- Butter & Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the onions, garlic, and chicken, they add richness and help meld the flavors together.
- Honey: A little sweetness to counteract the heat of the chipotle and adobo, honey also helps create a beautiful caramelization on the chicken.
- Chipotle Pepper Sauce: Provides the signature smoky heat that makes chipotle pasta so distinctive and delicious.
- Yellow Bell Pepper & Red Bell Pepper: Add a pop of color, a hint of sweetness, and a satisfying crunch, all while boosting the dish’s nutritional value.
- Heavy Cream: Gives the pasta sauce a luxurious, velvety texture that beautifully coats every piece of penne and chicken.
- Diced Yellow Onion & Minced Garlic: The aromatic base of many dishes, these two add a depth of flavor that complements the smoky heat of the adobo and chipotle.
- Frozen Peas & Fresh Thin Asparagus: Add a fresh, slightly sweet contrast to the heat, and their quick cooking time makes them an easy addition.
- Shredded Parmesan Cheese: Melts into the hot pasta, adding a salty, umami flavor that rounds out the dish perfectly.
How to Make Instant Pot Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta?
Step One: Press the saute button and then press the adjust button to set saute to “less”.
Step Two: In a bowl, add your chicken, add the lemon juice, salt, and pepper, and let sit as you cook the rest of the dish.
Step Three: Once it displays hot, add the butter and melt. Add the bell peppers and onions and cook until just translucent.
Step Four: Add your garlic and toss to combine. Remove the pepper mixture and set to the side.
Step Five: Now add your olive oil. Add the chicken to the pan and brown the chicken on both sides. This should take around 2-3 minutes.
Step Six: Add in the honey and stir, cooking an additional 5 seconds. Remove the chicken mixture and set to the side.
Step Seven: Add 1 1/2 cups of water to the Instant Pot. Now add 8 oz penne pasta, 2 tbsp. Of adobo sauce and chopped asparagus. Do not stir, especially if your Instant Pot model gives the Burn Message.
Step Eight: Close the pot with its lid. Press the manual or pressure cook button and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
Step Nine: Quick-release the pressure by manually moving (be careful) the pressure valve from the sealing to the venting position.
Step Ten: Open the pot, add the chicken mixture, and stir everything together.
Step Eleven: Press the saute button. Add in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese and stir.
Step Twelve: Top with cilantro and serve your delicious Chipotle Chicken Pasta.
Tips for Getting the Perfect Flavor
- Chicken: For tender and juicy chicken, consider marinating it in lime juice and spices for at least 30 minutes before cooking to infuse it with extra flavor and tenderness.
- Finish with Freshness: Stir in fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice to cooked pasta to brighten up the dish and add a fresh zing.
Variations
- Honey Glazed Chicken: Serves as an optional ingredient in this spicy chicken pasta, offering a customizable twist for those seeking to balance the spicy chipotle with a hint of sweetness.
Substitutions
- Chicken Thighs: Using boneless skinless chicken thighs in your Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta recipe adds a richer flavor and more tenderness to the dish, enhancing the overall savory notes.
- Cream Sauce: Adds richness and can replace or complement heavy cream, blending with chipotle sauce for creamy heat. Add it in the final Instant Pot steps for a smooth finish.
How to Store Chipotle Pasta
- Refrigeration: Store any leftover spicy chipotle chicken pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator, ensuring it’s cooled to room temperature before storing. Consume within 3-4 days for the best taste and safety.
- Freezing: For extended storage, allow the pasta to cool completely, then transfer it to a labeled freezer bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 2-3 months, ensuring proper sealing to maintain flavor and texture.
- Thawing: When ready to enjoy frozen chipotle chicken pasta, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat: For a quick and convenient reheating method, use the Instant Pot. Set it to the “Saute” function, add a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking, and stir until the pasta reaches the desired temperature.
What to Serve With Chipotle Pasta?
- Fluffy Rice: Fluffy rice complements the smoky flavors of chipotle chicken pasta.
- Black Bean Corn Salad: Charred corn mixed with black beans, tomatoes, red onions, and cilantro adds a sweet crunch to balance the dish.
- Garlic Breadsticks: Buttery garlic breadsticks provide the perfect opportunity for sopping up the rich chipotle-infused sauce.
Instant Pot Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 Chicken Breasts
- 500 g Penne Pasta
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 14 tsp Black Pepper
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
- 3 tbsp Honey
- 1 bottle Chipotle Pepper Sauce
- 1 Yellow Bell Pepper
- 1 Red Bell Pepper
- 2 cups Heavy Cream
- 12 Onion
- 1 tbs Minced Garlic
- 1 cup Frozen Peas
- 1 pound Asparagus
- 2 Cups Parmesan Cheese Shredded
Instructions
- Press the saute button and then press the adjust button to set saute to “less”.
- In a bowl, add your chicken, add the lemon juice, salt, and pepper, and let sit as you cook the rest of the dish.
- Once it displays hot, add the butter and melt. Add the bell peppers and onions and cook until just translucent.
- Add your garlic and toss to combine. Remove the pepper mixture and set to the side.
- Now add your olive oil. Add the chicken to the pan and brown the chicken on both sides. This should take around 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the honey and stir, cooking an additional 5 seconds. Remove the chicken mixture and set to the side.
- Add 1 1/2 cups of water to the Instant Pot. Now add 8 oz penne pasta, 2 tbsp. Of adobo sauce and chopped asparagus. Do not stir, especially if your Instant Pot model gives the Burn Message.
- Close the pot with its lid. Press the manual or pressure cook button and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
- Quick-release the pressure by manually moving (be careful) the pressure valve from the sealing to the venting position.
- Open the pot, add the chicken mixture, and stir everything together.
- Press the saute button. Add in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese and stir.
- Top with cilantro and serve your delicious Chipotle Chicken Pasta.
Notes
Nutrition
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